Administration – Serpom Monastery

HEADS OF THE MONASTERY

THE FIRST ABBOT OF SERPOM MONASTERY

At the tender age of six, he ascended to his rightful place, as he was enthroned at Sera-Mey Monastery. In the tumultuous year of 1959 he left behind his homeland, Tibet, and found solace in India.

For more than two decades, Kyabje Dorjechang immersed himself in the profound wisdom of the five major texts, crafting the mosaic of his knowledge and wisdom. In 1980, he was awarded the precious Geshe Lharampa degree. His tireless pursuit of wisdom did not stop there, as he delved deep into the intricacies of tantric studies at Gyurmey Tantric University.

Through the years, he drank from the well of sacred knowledge, receiving precious Dharma transmissions and initiations from luminous beings such as H.H. Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang, Kyabje Ling Dorjechang, Kyabje Zong Dorjechang and the great Jetsung Yeshe Wangchug Rinpoche, to name but a few.

For about fourteen years, Kyabje Dorjechang graced the sacred halls of the monastery with this teachings, illuminating minds with the profound wisdom of the ages. Later, his benevolent wisdom extended beyond the confines of India and Tibet, as he ventured to distant lands, bestowing his teachings in Australia, Singapore, Taiwan and beyond. In every step, he was a beacon of wisdom and peace, contributing to the preservation of Buddhism and the ternal quest for world peace and harmony. As the guiding light, Kyabje Dorjechang leads Lamrim International Dharma Center in the USA.

Venerable Serpom monks holder Kyabje Dorjechang not just as our great master, but as a religious leader. With deep gratitude, we recall his continuous spiritual support and contributions to our monastery since 2008. With heartfelt wishes, we pray for your good health and long life.

THE SECOND ABBOT: GESHE JAMPA KHETSUN RINPOCHE

In August 04, 2019, Geshe Jampa Khetsun ascended to the esteemed position of the second abbot of Serpom monastery, occupying the highest office in our cherished monastery.Born into the Yali family in the year 1967, on the sacred soil of Kham Chating province in Tibet, Geshe Jampa Khetsun has walked a path steeped in wisdom from a tender age. In 1983, he entered the holy precincts of Sermey monastery, where he embarked on a comprehensive study of the five major Texts. His devotion and diligence culminated in the acquisition of the first rank of Rigchung, a testament to his unwavering commitment to the Perfection of Wisdom text. Upon the earnest requests of his venerable masters, Geshe Jampa Khetsun embarked on the noble mission of teaching. Since 1993, He has dedicated himself to the task, imparting wisdom to a multitude of students and continues to do so. After complecting the comprehensive study of the Five Major texts, he ventured into the rigorous Geshe Lhamram examinations, a journey spanning six arduous years. The culmination of his efforts resulted in the award of the prestigious Geshe Lharampa degree in 1999. Regrettably, the ban on Shugden practice prevented him from joining Gyutoe Tantric Collage.

Throughout his spiritual odyssey, Khen Rinpoche received teachings, transmissions, and empowerments from esteemed luminaries such as Lama Dorjechang Jetsun Yeshi Wangchug (1926-1997), Khensur Dorjechang Lobsang Nyudup Rinpoche, among others.

Driven by a boundless dedication to Buddhism and all sentient beings, Khen Rinpoche has, since 1993, selflessly dedicated himself to teaching. In addition to his daily lessons on Buddhist philosophy, he provides insightful commentaries on profound treatise including Lamrim.

His kindness and spiritual contribution are immeasurable, and we hold venerable Khen Rinpoche, the luminary scholar of Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy, in highest regard. He presently occupies the distinguished office of abbot at Serpom Monastery.

THE CURRENT ABBOT: GESHE LOBSANG KELSANG RINPOCHE

Born in Sikkim, India, Geshe Lobsang Kelsang joined Sermey monastery in 1979. At that time, Kyabje Trijang Dorjechang was residing at Pabongka Labdrang. Geshe la received monk’s robes and had the rare privilege of meeting Kyajbe Dorjechang, who performed his hair-cutting ceremony — a profound blessing for him. Gan Thupten Rabgye took him under his care, teaching him Tibetan alphabet and later prayer texts. Since Gan la was a monastic administrator, he asked Gan Drakpa to help with memorizing the texts. Later, under the guidance of Gan Rabgye and Gan Amiya, he memorized the texts known as the Ornament of Clear Realization and the Signs and Reasoning.

Gan Thupten Rabgye was his first spiritual master, guiding him both in spiritual practice and daily life In 1981, Geshe la studied Buddhist philosophy from the great Geshe Lobsang Nyudrub, who was my first philosophical teacher. Kyabje Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Nyudrub served as the abbot of Sermey monastery and devoted his entire life to teaching Buddhist philosophy there. Later he spent a few years teachings in Taiwan, Singapore, and other places.

In 1982, Geshe la joined the Buddhist philosophical class. After completing his studies on the Perfection of Wisdom, he celebrated Rigchung in 1990 and his role was the questioner of Path of Preparation. however, upon finishing the five major texts and passing the relevant examinations, he was awarded the title of Geshe Lharampa in 1999. Since then, he undertook numerous retreats, including practices of Migtsema, Vajrabhairava, Thirteen Deity Yamantaka, Vajrayogini, Tara, Sitatapatra, Hayagriva, Dorje Shugden, and others.

In 2004, Khen Rinpoche completed his responsibility as a Chigan which is a director after the monastic section disciplinarian. To prepare for the great retreat, he has offered one hundred thousand water offering, one hundred thousand mantras of Vajrasattva, one hundred thousand mantras of Samaya Vajra, printed the field of merit of Guru Puja, one hundred thousand Mandala offering together with Taking Refuge, and one hundred thousand fire puja of Vajrayogini. In 2006, he begun the great retreat of Vajrayogini and completed in 2008. Khen Rinpoche was then appointed as a disciplinarian in Serpom monastery, of which responsibility he fulfilled to his potential. In 2016, he begun the retreat of Vajrabhairava for three years, and offered one million fire puja in 2019. He then visited European countries, America, Canada, and asian countries for teachings and spiritual activities. However, Khen Rinpoche has made remarkable contributions to spiritual practices and preservation efforts. Moreover, he serve as the abbot of Serpom Monastery with dedication. Following the completion of Khen Rinpoche Geshe Jampa Khetsun’ term as abbot, Geshe Lobsang Kelsang was appointed as the third abbot of Serpom Thoesam Norling monastery on December 1, 2024.

DISCIPLINARIAN

Venerable Geshe Ngawang Gyaltsen holds a position of great significance within the monastery, as he is annually elected to serve as the custodian of monastic discipline. His role as a disciplinarian is to uphold and preserve the sacred rules and principals that govern the conduct of the monastic community.

CHANTING MASTER

Venerable Geshe Lobsang Tsering holds the position of being the third most significant figure within the monastery. In this role, he presides over all prayers and pujas conducted within the monastery. And his tenure in this esteemed position spans five years.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE

The administrators oversee the intricacies of monastic affairs while providing guidance and supervision to both directors and departments. They assume the roles for three years.